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Trivia: Musical Terms

Subject : trivia
Instructions:
  • Answer 50 questions in 15 minutes.
  • If you are not ready to take this test, you can study here.
  • Match each statement with the correct term.
  • Don't refresh. All questions and answers are randomly picked and ordered every time you load a test.

This is a study tool. The 3 wrong answers for each question are randomly chosen from answers to other questions. So, you might find at times the answers obvious, but you will see it re-enforces your understanding as you take the test each time.
1. A period in history during the 18th and early 19th centuries where the focus shifted from the neoclassical style to an emotional - expressive - and imaginative style.






2. Written for 2 to 10 solo parts featuring one instrument to a part. Each part bears the same importance.






3. A form of writing for vocals that is close to the manner of speech and is rhythmically free.






4. A composition written for a solo instrument. The soloist plays the melody while the orchestra plays the accompaniment.






5. The interval between two notes. Three whole tones and one semitone make up the distance between the two notes.






6. Suite of Baroque dances.






7. The playing or singing the upper half of the vocal range. Also the highest voice in choral singing.






8. The seventh note of the scale where there is a strong desire to resolve on the tonic.






9. A line in a contrapuntal work performed by an individual voice or instrument.






10. Introduction to an opera or other large musical work.






11. Either of the two octave arrangements in modern music. The modes are either major or minor.






12. A direction to play lively and fast.






13. A direction in sheet music indicating the tempo is to be very fast.






14. A group of 4 instruments - two violins - a viola - and cello.






15. A symbol used in musical notation indicating to gradually quicken tempo.






16. To repeat a previous part of a composition generally after other music has been played.






17. The frequency of a note determining how high or low it sounds.






18. A line in a contrapuntal work performed by an individual voice or instrument.






19. A hymn sung by the choir and congregation often in unison.






20. A drama where the words are sung instead of spoken.






21. The period of music history which dates from the mid 1800's and lasted about sixty years. There was a strong regard for order and balance.






22. Short movement or interlude connecting the main parts of the composition.






23. Elaborate polyphonic composition of the Boroque and Renaissance periods.






24. Vocal composition written for three or more solo parts - usually without instrumental accompaniment.






25. A loose collection of instrumental compositions.






26. An extended solo - often accompanying the vocal part of an aria.






27. The principal note of a triad.






28. The first tone of a scale also known as a keynote.






29. A canon where the melody is sung in two or more voices. After the first voice begins - the next voice starts singing after a couple of measures are played in the preceding voice. All parts repeat continuously.






30. A song of praise and glorification. Most often to honor God.






31. Arrangement of music for a combined number of instruments.






32. Arranging a piece of music for an orchestra. Also - the study of music.






33. Curved line connecting notes to be sung or played as a phrase.






34. In sheet music - a symbol at the beginning of the staff defining the pitch of the notes found in that particular staff.






35. A composition written for three to six voices. Beginning with the exposition - each voice enters at different times - creating counterpoint with one another.






36. An instrumental lament with praise for the dead.






37. When several strings are tuned to harmonically related pitches - all strings vibrate when only one of the strings is struck.






38. The retuning of a stringed instrument in order to play notes below the ordinary range of the instrument or to produce an usual tone color.






39. A direction to play expressively.






40. Successive notes of a key or mode either ascending or descending.






41. A lighthearted piece - written in several movements - usually as background music for a social function.






42. The playing or singing the upper half of the vocal range. Also the highest voice in choral singing.






43. Piece of instrumental music played between scenes in a play or opera.






44. Music written for chorus and orchestra. Most often religious in nature.






45. A set of five musicians who perform a composition written for five parts.






46. A piece of music written in triple time. Also an old French dance.






47. A dirge - hymn - or musical service for the repose of the dead.






48. Two or more voices or instruments playing the same note simultaneously.






49. The first tone of a scale also known as a keynote.






50. Pertains to tone or tones.